The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building
Known as the tallest skyscraper in the world, it is a 1,453 foot structure, and has been called "The Cathedral of the Skies". It identifies the city more than any other landmarks. Certainly, it is one of the most well known buildings in the world.
Construction of this majestic site took 7,000,000 man hours to complete, total time it took to complete was one year, and 45 days. The total cost was $40,948,900 (including land), quite the bargain by today's standards wouldn't you say? High atop the Empire State Building, on the observatory you can see off in the distance for 80 miles, on a clear day. One can see the neighboring states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as New York.
The Empire State Building plays it's part in romance. Many couples take their marriage vows on the 80th floor on Valentine's Day every year. When couples tie the knot here they become members of the Empire State Building Wedding Club which entitles them to free admission to the observatories on their anniversary. It is a place they can bring their children as well as their grandchildren for years to come and share their special experience.
Famous celebrities have been captivated by this building ever since it's completion. Visiting here have been Nikita Krushchev, Fidel Castro, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, The King of Siam just to name a few.
Despite the many complaints you will hear about making a New York bus tour stop at the Empire State Building, this is a must-go bus tour destination in New York. The view from the top is quite unlike anything else you will see in New York. Totally breathtaking, we’re telling you. New York’s Empire State Building was built in 1931 and at that time, it was one of the world’s tallest buildings. Even when it’s no longer the tallest building in the world right now, just the building itself is worth your New York tour bus stop.
At night, from afar, you can also see the majestic building light up in a spectacular display of colors. Ok, now on with the complaints. One of the biggest complaints about visiting this bus tour destination is the long line at the Tickets Counter – which we will not deny. Many tour buses with foreign visitors will come here all year round making it a bit of a sardine can during holiday seasons and weekends! But to make your life easier, you should try booking your ticket online from www.esbnyc.com ahead of your bus tour stop! It doesn’t even matter whether you cancel your trip or not because the tickets that you purchase are good for a year.
Although the view is best when you have enough sunlight to spot the many buildings in New York city, making a bus tour stop at night is just as great because it’s when you can see all the buildings being lit up down. The view is just incredible. Anyway, another thing about making a bus tour stop at this New York attraction is the security – it’s tight! Whilst there is nothing much we can do about the security checks you will have to go through in order to get into this New York bus tour attraction, just be warned and be ready to smile for the camera when they snap your picture for their records! It’s just an unavoidable safety measure after the attacks on 9/11.
If you have a little bit more time on your hands, try buying the combo ticket online where it includes a short simulator ride around NYC – it’ll make this New York tour bus stop even more worthwhile for the kids.
